Inspection system, information processing apparatus, and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

In an inspection system including a printing apparatus, an inspection apparatus configured to inspect quality of a printed product printed by the printing apparatus, and an information processing apparatus configured to transmit a print job to the printing apparatus, the information processing apparatus transmits a print job to the printing apparatus in a case where a reference image to be used for inspecting the quality of the printed product corresponding to the print job is registered, and does not transmit the print job in a case where the reference image corresponding to the print job is not registered.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a technique for inspecting printquality of a printed product.

Description of the Related Art

Inspection systems, which read printed products printed by image formingapparatuses and inspect quality thereof, are known. The inspectionsystem can detect an image defect such as dirt and print omission, anerror in a character, bar code quality, and the like. A resultantproduct in which the above-described defect is detected is separatedfrom a printed product without a defect by, for example, changing asheet discharge destination.

Printed product inspection is divided into inspection preparation andinspection. In the inspection preparation, a reference image isregistered by scanning a non-defective product. in the inspection, animage to be inspected obtained by scanning a printed product as aninspection sample is compared with the reference image, and an error inthe printed product is detected.

According to Japanese Patent No. 5168651, a reference image is stored ina memory of a printing apparatus, and an error in a printed product isdetected using the stored reference image.

However, in a case of the technique according to Japanese Patent No.5168651, for example, if the reference image is forgotten to beregistered, inspection can be executed. More specifically, there is anissue that even though the reference image used for the inspection isnot registered, and thus the inspection cannot be correctly executed,printing for the inspection is started, and a printed product is outputin a state where the inspection cannot be executed.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an inspectionsystem capable of preventing a printed product from being output in astate where inspection cannot be correctly executed because a referenceimage corresponding to the printed product is not registered.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an inspection systemincluding a printing apparatus, an inspection apparatus configured toinspect quality of a printed product printed by the printing apparatus,and an information processing apparatus configured to transmit a printjob to the printing apparatus, wherein the inspection apparatus includesa reception unit configured to receive a scanned image obtained byscanning the printed product printed by the printing apparatus from theprinting apparatus, and an inspection unit configured to inspect qualityof the printed product based on comparison of the received scanned imagewith a reference image, wherein the information processing apparatusincludes a transmission unit configured to transmit a print job to theprinting apparatus, and wherein the transmission unit transmits theprint job in a case where a reference image to be used for inspectingthe quality of the printed product corresponding to the print job isregistered, and does not transmit the print job in a case where thereference image corresponding to the print job is not registered.

Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of aninformation processing apparatus, an inspection apparatus, and an imageforming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of theinformation processing apparatus, the inspection apparatus, and theimage forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of aprogram included in a client computer.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a job according to a first exemplaryembodiment

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate examples of reference image registrationinstruction files according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a table indicating an example of information stored in adatabase for associating a printed product with a reference imageaccording to the first exemplary embodiment

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D illustrate examples of screens according to thefirst exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate examples of screens according to the firstexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a table used for determining a completion of an inspectionsetting, according to a second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a reference image according to a thirdexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing to be executed in a casewhere a selection of a print job is instructed, according to the firstexemplar embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating processing to be executed in a casewhere a completion of a print setting is instructed, according to thefirst exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing to be executed in a casewhere an execution of reference image registration is instructed,according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating processing to be executed in a casewhere start of reference image registration is instructed, according tothe first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating processing to be executed in a casewhere an execution of printing and an inspection is instructed,according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating processing to be executed in a casewhere a start of inspection is instructed, according to the firstexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating processing to be executed in a casewhere start of reference image registration is instructed according tothe second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating processing to be executed in a casewhere a start of reference image registration is instructed, accordingto the third exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating processing to be executed in a casewhere a start of reference image registration is instructed, accordingto a fourth exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating processing to be executed in a casewhere an execution of printing and an inspection is instructed,according to a modification of the first exemplary embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of airinspection system according to a first exemplary embodiment including aninformation processing apparatus, an inspection apparatus, and an imageforming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to the presentexemplary embodiment is described using an electrophotographic methodimage forming apparatus, but may be an image forming apparatus using adifferent image forming method, such as an ink-jet method and an offsetmethod.

An image forming apparatus 0101 is connected to an informationprocessing apparatus 0109 via a cable 0112 and can communicatetherewith. The information processing apparatus 0109 is connected to aclient computer (information processing apparatus) 0110 and aninspection apparatus 0108 via a network 0113 and can communicatetherewith.

The image forming apparatus 0101 includes a user interface (UI) panel0102 and sheet feeding decks 0103 and 0104. The image forming apparatus0101 is further connected with an option deck 0105 including sheetfeeding decks with three stages. The image forming apparatus 0101 is,for example, an electrophotographic method image forming apparatus. TheUI panel 0102 is a user interface provided with, for example, acapacitance type touch panel.

The image forming apparatus 0101 further includes an inspection unit0106 and a large capacity stacker 0107. The inspection unit 0106 isconnected to the inspection apparatus 0108 via a cable 0114. The largecapacity stacker 0107 includes a main tray and a top tray, and thousandsof sheets can be loaded on the main tray at a time.

A print job is generated by the client computer 0110, transmitted to theinformation processing apparatus 0109 via the network 0113, and managedin the information processing apparatus 0109. Then, the print job istransmitted from the information processing apparatus 0109 to the imageforming apparatus 0101 via the cable 0112, and the image formingapparatus 0101 performs processing for printing the print job on asheet. The print job may be generated and managed in the informationprocessing apparatus 0109, transmitted to the image forming apparatus0101 via the cable 0112, and managed in the image forming apparatus0101.

The client computer 0110, the information processing apparatus 0109, andthe inspection apparatus 0108 may be connected to the cable 0112 so asto be able to communicate with the image forming apparatus 0101. Thus,the connection form of the image forming apparatus 0101, the informationprocessing apparatus 0109, and the client computer 0110 according to thepresent exemplary embodiment is an example, and various connection formscan be used in addition to the one according to the present exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of theimage forming apparatus 0101, the inspection apparatus 0108, the largecapacity stacker 0107, the information processing apparatus 0109, andthe client computer 0110 according to the present exemplary embodiment.

A central processing unit (CPU) 0201 performs control and calculation oneach unit in the image forming apparatus 0101 via a system bus 0212. TheCPU 0201 controls execution of a program stored in a storage unit 0205and loaded into a random access memory (RAM) 0202. The RAM 0202 is atype of a commonly used volatile storage device directly accessible fromthe CPU 0201 and used as a work area of the CPU 0201 or a temporary datastorage area. The storage unit 0205 functions as a temporary storagearea and a work memory at the time of an operation of the image formingapparatus 0101.

An engine interface (I/F) 0209 performs communication with and controlon a printer engine 0210. A sheet feeding deck I/F 0204 performscommunication with and control on a sheet feeding deck 0211. The sheetfeeding deck 0211 is a general term for the sheet feeding decks 0103 and0104 and the option deck 0105 as a hardware configuration. A UI panel0203 is a hardware configuration of the UI panel 0102 and is a userinterface for performing overall operations of the image formingapparatus 0101. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the UIpanel 0203 includes a capacitance type touch panel.

A network interface (hereinbelow, referred to as NW I/F) 0207 isconnected to a NW I/F 0238 of the information processing apparatus 0109via a cable 0213 and controls communication between the informationprocessing apparatus 0109 and the image forming apparatus 0101. In thisexample, the interfaces connected to the system buses 0212 and 0239 aredirectly connected to each other, but the information processingapparatus 0109 and the image forming apparatus 0101 may be connected toeach other via, for example, a network, and a connection form thereof isnot limited. A video I/F 0206 is connected to a video I/F 0233 via avideo cable 0241 and controls communication of image data between theinformation processing apparatus 0109 and the image forming apparatus0101.

A connection interface of the information processing apparatus 0109 tothe image forming apparatus 0101 may be in a form in which functions ofthe NW I/F 0238 and the video I/F 0233 are integrated. Further, aconnection interface of the image forming apparatus 0101 to theinformation processing apparatus 0109 may be in a form in whichfunctions of the NW I/F 0207 and the video I/F 0206 are integrated.

An accessory I/F 0208 is connected to an accessory I/F 0214 and anaccessory I/F 0220 via a cable 0225. In this way, the image formingapparatus 0101 communicates the inspection unit 0106 and the largecapacity stacker 0107 via the accessory I/Fs 0208, 0214, and 0220.

A CPU 0216 performs control and calculation on each unit in theinspection unit 0106 via a system bus 0219 and controls execution of aprogram stored in a storage unit 0247 and loaded into a RAM 0217. TheRAM 0217 is a type of a commonly used volatile storage device directlyaccessible from the CPU 0216 and used as a work area of the CPU 0216 ora temporary data storage area. The storage unit 0247 functions as atemporary storage area and a work memory at the time of an operation ofthe inspection apparatus 0108. An inspection apparatus I/F 0215 isconnected to an inspection unit I/F 0231 via a cable 0251. Thus, theinspection unit 0106 communicates with the inspection apparatus 0108 viathe inspection apparatus I/F 0215 and the inspection unit I/F 0231.

An image capturing unit 0218 provided with, for example, a contact imagesensor (hereinbelow, referred to as CIS) has an image capturingfunction, captures an image of a sheet passing through the inspectionunit 0106, and transmits the captured image to the inspection apparatus0108 via the inspection apparatus I/F 0215. The CIS of the imagecapturing unit 0218 is an example of a sensor, and the image capturingunit 0218 may use another type of a sensor such as a charge coupleddevice (CCD) image sensor without limiting an image capturing method.

A CPU 0221 performs control and calculation on each unit in the largecapacity stacker 0107 via a system bus 0224 and controls execution of aprogram stored in a storage unit 0248 and loaded into a RAM 0222. TheRAM 0222 is a type of a commonly used volatile storage device directlyaccessible from the CPU 0221 and used as a work area of the CPU 0221 ora temporary data storage area. The storage unit 0248 functions as atemporary storage area and a work memory at the time of the operation ofthe inspection apparatus 0108. A sheet discharge unit 0223 performsmonitoring and control on a sheet discharge operation to the main trayand the top tray and a stacking status of each of the main tray and thetop tray.

A CPU 0226 performs control and a calculation on each unit in theinspection apparatus 0108 via a system bus 0230 and controls executionof a program stored in a storage unit 0228 and loaded into a RAM 0227.The RAM 0227 is a type of a commonly used volatile storage devicedirectly accessible from the CPU 0226 and used as a work area of the CPU0226 or aa temporary data storage area. The storage unit 0228 functionsas a temporary storage area and a work memory at the time of theoperation of the inspection apparatus 0108. A page description language(PDL) analysis unit 0229 reads PDL data such as Portable Document Format(PDF) data, PostScript data, and page control language (PCL) datareceived from the client computer 0110 and the information processingapparatus 0109 and executes interpretation processing. A display unit0245 is, for example, a liquid crystal display connected to theinspection apparatus 0108 and receives an input to the inspectionapparatus 0108 from a user and displays a state of the inspectionapparatus 0108.

A CPU 0234 performs control and calculation on each unit in theinformation processing apparatus 0109 via a system bus 0239 and controlsexecution of a program stored in a storage unit 0236 and loaded into aRAM 0235. The RAM 0235 is a type of a commonly used volatile storagedevice directly accessible from the CPU 0234 and used as a work area ofthe CPU 0234 or another temporary data storage area. The storage unit0236 functions as a temporary storage area and a work memory at the timeof an operation of the information processing apparatus 0109. A NW I/F0237 is connected to NW I/Fs 0232 and 0240 via the network. Theinformation processing apparatus 0109 communicates with the inspectionapparatus 0108 via the NW I/Fs 0237 and 0232. Further, the informationprocessing apparatus 0109 communicates with the client computer 0110 viathe NW I/Fs 0237 and 0240.

A CPU 0243 performs control and calculation on each unit in the clientcomputer 0110 via a system bus 0246 and controls execution of a programstored in a storage unit 0244 and loaded into a RAM 0242. The RAM 0242is a type of a commonly used volatile storage device directly accessiblefrom the CPU 0243 and used as a work area of the CPU 0243 or a temporarydata storage area. The storage unit 0244 functions as a temporarystorage area and a work memory at the time of an operation of the clientcomputer 0110. A display unit 0249 is, for example, a liquid crystaldisplay connected to the client computer 0110 and receives an input tothe client computer 0110 from a user and displays a state of a printjob.

FIG. 3 illustrates a configuration of programs included in the clientcomputer 0110.

A boot loader 301 is a program executed immediately after power supplyto the client computer 0110 is turned on. The program includes a programfor executing various starting sequences necessary for starting thesystem.

An operating system 302 is a program for providing an executionenvironment for various programs for implementing a function of theclient computer 0110. The operating system 302 provides a function ofmanaging resources such as memories of the client computer 0110, i.e.,the RAM 0242 and the storage unit 0244, and other functions.

A network control program 303 is a program executed in a case where datais transmitted to and received from devices connected via the network.More specifically, the network control program 303 is used in a casewhere a print job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 0101,and print processing is executed. The network control program 303 isalso used in a case where a reference image registration instructionfile is transmitted to the inspection apparatus 0108. The networkcontrol program 303 is further used in a case where a print jobtransmission instruction is received from the inspection apparatus 0108.

A workflow control program 304 is a program for collectively managinggeneration of a print job, transmission of the print job, and generationof a file, and is the core of the client computer 0110.

A second reception program 305 is a program for receiving a preparationcompletion notification from the inspection apparatus 0108. Uponreceiving the preparation completion notification from the inspectionapparatus 0108, the second reception program 305 notifies the workflowcontrol program 304 of an instruction, a condition, and the like in thepreparation completion notification.

A second transmission program 306 is a program for transmitting a fileto the inspection apparatus 0108. The second transmission program 306generates a file using information about the print job beforetransmitting the print job and transmits the generated file to theinspection apparatus 0108.

A UI control program 307 is a program for controlling a screen to bedisplayed on the display unit 0249 of the client computer 0110 andcontrols display on the screen, and enabling and disabling of a button.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a print job generated by the clientcomputer 0110. According to the present exemplary embodiment, adescription is given based on a Job Definition Format (JDF) format,which is a standard specification, as a print job format. Main pieces ofinformation included in a print job are a job identifier (ID) 401, aprint job name 402. resource information 403 for indicating what the PDFdata is used for, and a number of copies 404 of the print job. The jobID 401 is used for uniquely identifying the print job.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example of a reference image registrationinstruction file generated in the client computer 0110 and transmittedto the inspection apparatus 0108. The reference image registrationinstruction file represents an outline of the print job and is used fora purpose of transmitting the information about the print job to thedevice such as the inspection apparatus 0108. According to the presentexemplary embodiment, the reference image registration instruction fileis generated in an Extensible Markup Language (XML) format. However, thereference image registration instruction file may be generated in aJavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format and another different format.

A root element 500 of the reference image registration instruction filecorresponds to one print job. A job ID 501 includes a value the same asthat of the job ID 401 of the print job in FIG. 4. A reference imageidentifier 502 is used for a purpose of identifying a reference image bythe inspection apparatus 0108. A value of the reference image identifier502 can be mapped from the print job name 402 and the resourceinformation 403. According to the present exemplary embodiment, thesecond transmission program 306 maps the value of the print job name 402in the reference image identifier 502.

A number of copies 503 of the print job indicates how many times thesame printing is repeated for one print queue. For example, if thenumber of pages is ten pages, the number of copies 503 of the print jobspecifies how many copies (times) to print the entire ten pages. Thenumber of copies 503 of the print job is used for determining how manytimes inspection is executed in the inspection. If a small value isinput to the number of copies 503 of the print job in the referenceimage registration instruction file, a printed product to be inspectedwill not be inspected. For this reason, the number of copies 503 of theprint job in the reference image registration instruction file is set tothe same value as the number of copies specified in the print job.

A number of scans 504 of the printed product is used at the time of thereference image registration. The number of scans 504 of the printedproduct specifies how many times a non-defective product is scanned in acase where the reference image is generated. According to the presentexemplary embodiment, the reference image is obtained by synthesizingimages obtained by scanning the non-defective product for a plurality oftimes. The reference image obtained by synthesizing the images includesless noise, so that inspection accuracy is increased. On the contrary,if the number of scans of the non-defective product is small, noise inthe reference image becomes conspicuous, and the inspection accuracy isreduced.

A collate setting 505 indicates presence or absence of a collate settingin the print job. In a case where a plurality of copies is printed withthe collate setting, print processing proceeds in an order of a firstpage, the first page, and the first page, instead of printing of thefirst page, a second page, and a third page. Thus, the presence orabsence of the collate setting is used for determining whether theinspection is also executed in the order of the first page, the firstpage, and the first page. A media size 506 is a size of a sheetspecified in the print job.

FIG. 5B illustrates an example of a reference image registration resultfile generated in the inspection apparatus 0108 and transmitted to theclient computer 0110. The reference image registration result file isused for a purpose of notifying the client computer 0110 of a result ofthe reference image registration. According to the present exemplaryembodiment, the reference image registration result file is generated inthe XML format. However, the reference image registration result filemay be generated in the JSON format and the like.

A root element 510 of the reference image registration result filecorresponds to one print job. A reference image identifier 511 is usedfor a purpose of identifying the reference image by the inspectionapparatus 0108 and indicates that registration of the reference imageidentified by the reference image identifier is completed.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of information stored in a database forassociating a printed product, the reference image, and a registrationstatus of the reference image. A database 600 is stored in the storageunit 0244 of the client computer 0110. A reference image identifier 601is used for a purpose of identifying the reference image by theinspection apparatus 0108. The database 600 includes a job ID 602. Thedatabase 600 also includes a reference image registration status 603. Ina case where the reference image is registered, the reference imageregistration status 603 is set to YES. Whereas, in a case where thereference image is not registered, the reference image registrationstatus 603 is set to NO. If the NW I/F 0237 of the client computer 0110receives the reference image registration result file from the NW I/F0232 of the inspection apparatus 0108, the second reception program 305analyzes the reference image registration result file. The secondreception program 305 obtains a value from the reference imageidentifier 511 in the reference image registration result file. Thesecond reception program 305 checks the database 600 and changes thereference image registration status 603 to YES (registered) if the samevalue as that of the reference image identifier 511 exists in thedatabase 600.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D illustrate examples of screens used forexecuting printing and inspection in the client computer 0110. Thescreen is controlled by the UI control program 307 and displayed on thedisplay unit 0249. On a screen 700, a print setting button 701, areference image registration button 702, a print button 703, and a printjob list 704 are displayed. The print setting button 701, the referenceimage registration button 702, and the print button 703 each have anenabled state and a disabled state, accept pressing if they are in theenabled state, and do not accept pressing if they are in the disabledstate. A list of the print jobs stored in the storage unit 0244 isdisplayed in the print job list 704. According to the present exemplaryembodiment, a print job is transmitted from a Management InformationSystem as a comma separated value (CSV) file and the like in which asetting value is specified, and is received by the client computer 0110.After the reception, the print job is stored in the storage unit 0244.

FIG. 7A exemplifies a state where a job is not selected in the print joblist 704. The print setting button 701, the reference image registrationbutton 702, and the print button 703 are disabled.

FIG. 7B exemplifies a state where a print job of which an inspectionsetting 711 is set to OFF is selected in the print job list 704. Thereference image registration button 702 is disabled, whereas the printsetting button 701 and the print button 703 are enabled.

FIG. 7C exemplifies a state where a print job of which the inspectionsetting 711 is set to ON is selected in the print job list 704, andregistration of the reference image corresponding to the selected printjob is not completed. The print button 703 is disabled, whereas theprint setting button 701 and the reference image registration button 702are enabled.

FIG. 7D exemplifies a state where a print job of which the inspectionsetting 711 is set to ON is selected in the print job list 704, andregistration of the reference image corresponding to the selected printjob is completed. The print setting button 701, the reference imageregistration button 702, and the print button 703 are enabled.

FIG. 8A illustrates an example of a screen used for executing a printsetting in the client computer 0110. The screen is controlled by the UIcontrol program 307 and displayed on the display unit 0249.

FIG. 8A illustrates a print setting screen 705. The print setting screen705 includes a job ID 706, an entry field 707 for a job name, and anentry field 708 for the number of copies. The print setting screen 705further includes an entry field 709 for the number of scans necessaryfor generating one reference image, an entry field 710 for a media size,and a selection field 750 for ON and OFF of the collate setting. A userselects whether to execute the inspection with respect to the print jobusing a selection field 712. In a case where the selection field 712 forthe inspection is set to ON, the inspection is executed if the userperforms a reference image registration operation and then performs aprint operation. In a case where the selection field 712 for inspectionis set to OFF, if the user performs the print operation, only printingis executed, and the inspection is not executed. The print settingscreen 705 further includes a print setting completion button 713.

FIG. 8B illustrates an example of an inspection parameter setting screenin the inspection apparatus 0108. The inspection parameter settingscreen is displayed on the display unit 0245 of the inspection apparatus0108.

An inspection parameter setting screen 714 includes a job name 715 of aninspection target currently being set and an entry field 716 for thenumber of copies subjected to the inspection. The inspection parametersetting screen 714 further includes an entry field 717 for a media size(sheet size) of the inspection target, a selection field 718 for ON andOFF of the collate setting, and a setting button 719 for an inspectionarea and an inspection level. If the setting button 719 is pressed, aninspection area setting screen (not illustrated) is opened and receivesspecification of an area to be inspected in the reference image and asetting of an inspection level corresponding to the area from a user.The inspection parameter setting screen 714 further includes aninspection parameter setting completion button 720.

Processing according to the present exemplary embodiment is describedwith reference to flowcharts. A program of the image forming apparatus0101 according to the present flowchart is stored in the storage unit0205 of the image forming apparatus 0101, read into the RAM 0202, andexecuted by the CPU 0201. A program of the inspection apparatus 0108according to the present flowchart is stored in the storage unit 0228 ofthe inspection apparatus 0108, read into the RAM 0227, and executed bythe CPU 0226. A program of the information processing apparatus 0109according to the present flowchart is stored in the storage unit 0236 ofthe information processing apparatus 0109, read into the RAM 0235, andexecuted by the CPU 0234. A program of the client computer 0110according to the present flowchart is stored in the storage unit 0244 ofthe client computer 0110, read into the RAM 0242, and executed by theCPU 0243.

FIG. 11 illustrates processing executed by the client computer 0110 in acase where the client computer 0110 is instructed to select the printjob. More specifically, the UI control program 307 receives an operationand executes various processing for controlling the UI.

In step S800, the UI control program 307 receives an operation forselecting the print job. Each line in the print job list 704 on thescreen 700 illustrated in FIG. 7A indicates a print job, and if a userselects the line, the UI control program 307 receives a selection of theprint job corresponding to the line.

In step S801, the UI control program 307 enables a UI for executing theprint setting. The UI for executing the print setting is, for example,the print setting button 701 illustrated in FIG. 7A. The print settingbutton 701 is disabled before selection of the print job and does notaccept pressing. In a case where a print job is selected as illustratedin FIGS. 7B. 7C, and 7D, the print setting button 701 receives pressing,and the UI control program 307 displays the print setting screen 705illustrated in FIG. 8B.

In step S802, the workflow control program 304 determines whether theinspection is set to ON or OFF in the print setting of the selectedprint job. As a result of the determination, in a case where theinspection is set to ON (YES in step S802), the processing proceeds tostep S804. On the other hand, in a case where the inspection is set toOFF (NO in step S802), the processing proceeds to step S803.

In step S803, the UI control program 307 disables a UI for executing thereference image registration, The UI for executing the reference imageregistration is, for example, the reference image registration button702 illustrated in FIG. 7A. The reference image registration button 702in FIG. 7B indicates the disabled state and does not accept pressing.According to the present exemplary embodiment, the reference imageregistration is executed by pressing the reference image registrationbutton 702. However, the reference image registration may be executed bypressing, for example, a test print button. In this case, the test printbutton may be enabled.

In step S804, the UI control program 307 enables the UI for executingthe reference image registration. The reference image registrationbuttons 702 in. FIGS. 7C and 7D indicate the enabled state and acceptpressing.

In step S805, the workflow control program 304 determines whether thereference image of the selected print job is already registered. Theworkflow control program 304 refers to the database 600 illustrated inFIG. 6 and determines whether the reference image registration status603 corresponding to the reference image identifier 502 associated withthe print job is registered. In a case where it is determined that thereference image is already registered (YES in step S805), the processingproceeds to step S806. Whereas, in a case where it is determined thatthe reference image is not registered (NO in step S805), the processingproceeds to step S807.

In step S806, the UI control program 307 enables a UI for executingprinting and inspection. The UI for executing printing and inspectionis, for example, the print button 703 illustrated in FIG. 7A. The printbuttons 703 in FIGS. 7B and 7D indicate the enabled state and acceptpressing.

In step S807, the UI control program 307 disables the UI for executingprinting and inspection. The print buttons 703 in FIGS. 7A and 7Cindicate the disabled state and do not accept pressing.

FIG. 12 illustrates processing executed by the client computer 0110 in acase where the client computer 0110 is instructed to complete the printsetting. More specifically, the UI control program 307 receives anoperation and executes various processing for controlling the UI.

In step S808, the workflow control program 304 receives the printsetting. The print setting is performed on the print setting screendisplayed by the UI control program 307 if a user selects the print joband presses the print setting button 701, and the print setting isreceived by pressing the print setting completion button 713.

In step S809, the workflow control program 304 analyzes the receivedprint setting and determines whether the inspection is set to ON or OFFin the print setting of the print job. As a result of the determination,in a case where the inspection is set to ON (YES in step S809), theprocessing proceeds to step S804. Whereas, in a case where theinspection is set to OFF (NO in step S809), the processing proceeds tostep S803.

The processing in steps S803 and S804 and subsequent steps is alreadydescribed with reference to FIG. 8A, and thus the descriptions thereofare omitted.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing at the time of thereference image registration by the client computer 0110.

In step S810, the workflow control program 304 receives a referenceimage registration execution instruction. The reference imageregistration execution instruction corresponds to, for example, pressingof the reference image registration button 702 by a user.

In step S811, the second transmission program 306 generates thereference image registration instruction file illustrated in FIG. 5Abased on the setting of the print job and transmits the reference imageregistration instruction file to the inspection apparatus 0108. Atransmission method may be Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)communication or to store the reference image registration instructionfile in a folder accessible by the client computer 0110 and theinspection apparatus 0108. According to the present exemplaryembodiment, the method for storing the reference image registrationinstruction file in the folder is described.

In step S812, the second reception program 305 obtains a deletion eventof the reference image registration instruction file stored in thefolder and thus determines that a print instruction corresponding to thereference image registration instruction file can be transmitted.

In step S813, the workflow control program 304 transmits a printinstruction for the reference image registration to the image formingapparatus 0101 via the information processing apparatus 0109.

In step S814, if the reference image registration result file isreceived from the NW I/F 0232 of the inspection apparatus 0108, thesecond reception program 305 analyzes the reference image registrationresult file and obtains a value from the reference image identifier 511in the reference image registration result file. The second receptionprogram 305 checks the database 600 and changes the reference imageregistration status 603 to YES (registered) if the same value as that ofthe reference image identifier 511 exists in the database 600.

In step S815, the UI control program 307 obtains the job IDcorresponding to the reference image identifier 511 of which thereference image registration status 603 is changed to YES (registered)from the database 600 and determines whether the obtained job ID matchesthe job ID of the print job selected in the print job list. As a resultof the determination, in a case where the job II) is selected (YES instep S815), the processing proceeds to step S816. Whereas, in a casewhere the job ID is not selected (NO in step S815), the reference imageregistration processing by the client computer 0110 is terminated.

In step S816, the UI control program 307 enables the UI for executingprinting and inspection. The UI for executing printing and inspectionis, for example, the print button 703 illustrated in FIG. 7A. The printbuttons 703 in FIGS. 7B and 7D indicate the enabled state and acceptpressing.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating processing at the time of thereference image registration by the inspection apparatus 0108.

In step S817, the CPU 0226 receives a reference image registration startinstruction from the client computer 0110. According to the presentexemplary embodiment, the CPU 0226 receives the reference imageregistration start instruction by reading the reference imageregistration instruction file stored in the folder by the clientcomputer 0110.

In step S818, the CPU 0226 starts reading the reference image. At thattime, the inspection unit I/F 0231 notifies the inspection apparatus I/F0215 of the start of reading the reference image. Then, the CPU 0216notifies the image capturing unit 0218 to prepare for reading thereference image. If the preparation is completed, the CPU 0216 notifiesthe CPU 0226 of the completion via the inspection apparatus I/F 0215 andthe inspection unit I/F 0231.

In step S819, since the preparation for the reference image registrationis completed, the CPU 0226 is in a state of waiting for receiving ascanned image of the printed product. Further, the CPU 0226 notifies theclient computer 0110 that the preparation for starting the referenceimage registration is completed. According to the present exemplaryembodiment, the completion of the preparation for starting the referenceimage registration is notified by deleting the reference imageregistration instruction file stored in the folder.

In step S820, the CPU 0226 receives an image of the printed productscanned by the inspection unit 0106 from the inspection unit 0106 viathe inspection apparatus I/F 0215 and the inspection unit I/F 0231.

In step S821, the CPU 0226 registers the image received in step S820 inthe RAM 0227 as the reference image. At that time, a plurality ofreference images can be read to allow a user to select one from them,combine them, or register a plurality of the reference images.

In step S822, the CPU 0226 displays the inspection parameter settingscreen 714 on the display unit 0245. If the display unit 0245 receives a“completion” instruction on the inspection parameter setting screen 714,the processing proceeds to step S823.

In step S823, the CPU 0226 determines whether the reference imageregistration is completed for the number of sheets of the print jobdescribed in an inspection start instruction file. In a case where thereference image registration is completed (YES in step S823), theprocessing proceeds to step S824. Whereas, in a case where the referenceimage registration is not completed (NO in step S823), the processingreturns to step S820.

In step S824, the reference image registration is completed for thenumber of sheets of the print job described in the inspection startinstruction file, and thus the CPU 0226 finishes reading the referenceimage.

In step S825, the CPU 0226 transmits the reference image registrationresult file to the client computer 0110.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating processing at the time of executingprinting and inspection by the client computer 0110.

In step S826, the workflow control program 304 receives a printing andinspection execution instruction. The printing and inspection executioninstruction corresponds to, for example, a pressing operation on theprint button 703 by a user.

In step S827, the workflow control program 304 determines whether theinspection setting is set to ON in the print job to which the printingand inspection execution instruction is issued. As a result of thedetermination, in a case where the inspection is set to ON (YES in stepS827), the processing proceeds to step S828. Whereas, in a case wherethe inspection is set to OFF (NO in step S827), the processing proceedsto step S830.

In step S828, the second transmission program 306 generates aninspection start instruction file based on the setting in the print joband transmits the generated inspection start instruction file to theinspection apparatus 0108. The transmission method may be the HTTPcommunication or to store the inspection start instruction file in thefolder accessible by the client computer 0110 and the inspectionapparatus 0108. According to the present exemplary embodiment, themethod for storing the inspection start instruction file in the folderis described.

In step S829, the second reception program 305 obtains a deletion eventof the inspection start instruction file stored in the folder and thusdetermines that a print instruction corresponding to the inspectionstart instruction file can be transmitted.

In step S830, the workflow control program 304 transmits the printinstruction to the image forming apparatus 0101 via the informationprocessing apparatus 0109.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating processing at the time of executinginspection by the inspection apparatus 0108.

In step S831, the CPU 0226 receives an inspection start instruction fromthe client computer 0110. According to the present exemplary embodiment,the CPU 0226 receives the inspection start instruction by reading theinspection start instruction file stored in the folder by the clientcomputer 0110.

In step S832, the CPU 0226 obtains the reference image corresponding tothe print job using information described in the inspection startinstruction.

In step S833, the CPU 0226 starts inspection of the print job for whichthe association with the reference image is completed and starts readingan inspection target image.

In step S834, since the preparation for the reference image registrationis completed, the CPU 0226 is in a state of waiting for scanning theprinted product. Further, the CPU 0226 notifies the client computer 0110that the preparation for starting the inspection is completed. Accordingto the present exemplary embodiment, the completion of the preparationfor starting the inspection is notified by deleting the inspection startinstruction file stored in the folder.

In step S835, the CPU 0226 receives an image to be inspected scanned bythe inspection unit 0106 from the inspection unit 0106 via theinspection apparatus I/F 0215 and the inspection unit I/F 0231.

In step S836, the CPU 0226 reads the reference image identified in stepS832 from the storage unit 0228 and performs inspection by comparing thereference image with the image to be inspected received from theinspection unit 0106.

In step S837, the CPU 0226 determines an inspection result. In a casewhere the inspection result is successful (YES in step S837), theprocessing proceeds to step S838. Whereas, in a case where theinspection result is failure (NO in step S837), the processing proceedsto step S839.

In step S838, the CPU 0226 instructs the large capacity stacker 0107 tooutput the printed product having passed the inspection to the main trayin the sheet discharge unit 0223 of the large capacity stacker 0107.

In step S839, the CPU 0226 instructs the large capacity stacker 0107 tooutput the printed product having failed the inspection to the top trayin the sheet discharge unit 0223 of the large capacity stacker 0107.

In step S840, the CPU 0226 determines whether the inspection iscompleted for the inspection target printed product. In a case where theinspection is completed (YES in step S840), the processing proceeds tostep S841. Whereas, in a case where the inspection is not completed (NOin step S840), the processing returns to step S835.

In step S841, since the inspection is completed for the inspectiontarget printed product, the CPU 0226 finishes reading the inspectiontarget image.

According to the above-described exemplary embodiment, the example inwhich it is determined whether the reference image is registered tochange the display of the UI, and if the reference image is registered,a print instruction can be issued, is described. However, it may bedetermined whether the reference image is registered after issuing theprint instruction, and if the reference image is registered, the printjob may be transmitted, whereas, if the reference image is notregistered, the print job may not be transmitted.

In FIGS. 7A to 7D, the print button 703 is controlled to be selectablein a case where the reference image is registered. According to amodification of the first exemplary embodiment, the print button 703 canbe selected regardless of whether the reference image is registered.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating processing according to themodification of the first exemplary embodiment. More specifically, FIG.20 is the flowchart illustrating the processing at the time of executingprinting and inspection by the client computer 0110. Steps are similarto those in FIG. 15 except for steps S848 and S849, and thus thedescriptions thereof are omitted.

In step S848, the workflow control program 304 determines whether thereference image of the print job that is instructed to be printed instep S826 is already registered. A determination method is similar tothat in step S805 in FIG. 11. In a case where it is determined that thereference image is already registered (YES in step S848), the processingproceeds to step S827. Whereas, in a case where it is determined thatthe reference image is not registered (NO in step S848), the processingproceeds to step S849.

In step S849, a warning is displayed for indicating that the referenceimage is not registered.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where thereference image corresponding to the printed product is not registered,the printed product can be prevented from being output in a state wherethe inspection cannot be executed.

According to the first exemplary embodiment, the configuration in whichinformation necessary for the inspection apparatus to execute inspectionis described in the inspection start instruction file and transmitted bythe client computer, is described. On the other hand, the informationnecessary for the inspection apparatus to execute the inspection may beinput by the inspection apparatus in some cases. The informationnecessary for the inspection apparatus to execute inspection differsdepending on the inspection apparatus. According to a second exemplaryembodiment, the inspection apparatus determines whether input of theinformation necessary for executing the inspection is completed, and ifnot, the client computer prevents a user from executing an operation forexecuting printing and inspection. Accordingly, the printed product canbe prevented from being output in a state where the inspection cannot beexecuted.

According to the second exemplary embodiment, an example in which it isdetermined that the reference image is registered in a case where theinformation necessary for executing the inspection is prepared inaddition to the reference image is described with reference to FIGS. 9and 17. Farts common to the above-described exemplary embodiment areomitted from the description below.

FIG. 9 illustrates a database for determining whether input of theinformation necessary for the inspection apparatus to execute theinspection is completed. A database 900 is stored in the storage unit0228 of the inspection apparatus 0108.

A column 901 indicates whether a user needs to set each inspectionparameter on the inspection parameter setting screen 714. “TRUE”represents that a setting of the corresponding inspection parameter isrequired, and “FALSE” represents that the setting of the correspondinginspection parameter is not required. “TRUE” is stored in the column 901for the inspection parameter which must be set in step S822. Forexample, in a case where the column 901 of the media size is set to“TRUE”, the inspection parameter setting screen 714 is not closed evenif a user presses the inspection parameter setting completion button 720unless the user inputs the media size in the entry field 717 on theinspection parameter setting screen 714. On the other hand, “FALSE” isstored in the column 901 in a case where a default value is prepared andthe inspection can be executed without setting the parameter and in acase where the parameter is obtained later by receiving a setting valuein the inspection start instruction in step S831. For example, in a casewhere the inspection can be executed using default inspection area andinspection level even if a user does not set the inspection area and theinspection level, “FALSE” is stored in the columns 901 corresponding tothe inspection area and the inspection level.

FIG. 17 illustrates processing executed by the inspection apparatus 0108in a case where the inspection apparatus 0108 is instructed to start thereference image registration. More specifically, the CPU 0226 receivesthe instruction and executes various processing for registering thereference image.

In step S842, the CPU 0226 checks the inspection parameter set in stepS822 and determines whether input of a parameter necessary forexecuting. the inspection is completed. As a result of thedetermination, in a case where the input is completed (YES in stepS842), the processing proceeds to step S823. Whereas, in a case wherethe input is not completed (NO in step S842), the processing proceeds tostep S822. The parameter necessary for executing the inspection includesthe number of copies of inspection, the inspection area, and theinspection level. The database 900 illustrated in FIG. 9 is used fordetermining whether the input is completed. The database 900 is storedin the storage unit 0228 of the inspection apparatus 0108. The CPU 0226determines whether the settings are all completed by comparing theparameter specified as “TRUE” in the inspection setting registered inthe database 900 with the inspection parameter set in step S822.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, even in the configurationin which the information necessary for the inspection apparatus toexecute the inspection is input by the inspection apparatus, the printedproduct can be prevented from being output in a state where theinspection cannot be executed.

There is a case where information necessary for inspection, such asfeature point information, is obtained from an image scanned for thereference image registration.

In the inspection processing, it is necessary to adjust the position ofan image in the reference image and an image of the printed productincluded in the image to be inspected to compare the reference imagewith the image to be inspected. FIG. 10 illustrates an example of thescanned image. The position adjustment may be performed in two ways,i.e., a case in which an outline 1000 of a sheet in a scanned image isused as a feature point and a case in which an image 1001 printed on thesheet is used as the feature point. In a case where the sheet does notfit within a range in which a scanner can capture an image, the outline1000 of the sheet in the scanned image cannot be detected to use as thefeature point. Further, in a case where the image 1001 printed on thesheet has less feature, such as a blank page, the feature point cannotbe detected from the image 1001 printed on the sheet. In theabove-described cases, a user needs to add a marker 1002 and the likefor detecting the feature point to the image to enable the feature pointto be detected and then to register the reference image again. Accordingto a third exemplary embodiment, the inspection apparatus determineswhether the information necessary for executing the inspection can beobtained from the scanned image, and if not, the client computerprevents a user from executing an operation for executing printing andinspection. Accordingly, the printed product can be prevented from beingoutput in a state where the inspection cannot be executed.

According to the third exemplary embodiment, an example in which theinformation necessary for the inspection cannot be obtained from animage scanned for the reference image registration is described withreference to FIG. 18. Parts common to the above-described exemplaryembodiments are omitted from the description below. The processing addedto the present exemplary embodiment may be added to the processingaccording to the second exemplary embodiment and executed.

FIG. 18 illustrates processing executed by the inspection apparatus 0108in a case where the inspection apparatus 0108 is instructed to start thereference image registration. More specifically, the CPU 0226 receivesthe instruction and executes various processing for registering thereference image.

In step S843, the CPU 0226 determines whether the information necessaryfor executing the inspection can be obtained. According to the presentexemplary embodiment, the CPU 0226 determines whether the feature pointcan be detected from the scanned image. As a result of thedetermination, in a case where the information necessary for executingthe inspection can be obtained (YES in step S843), the processingproceeds to step S821. Whereas, in a case where the informationnecessary for executing the inspection cannot be obtained (NO in stepS843), the processing proceeds to step S844.

In step S844, the CPU 0226 displays, on the display unit 0245, that theinformation necessary for executing the inspection cannot be obtainedfrom the scanned image to notify a user thereof.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, in the configuration inwhich the inspection apparatus obtains the information necessary forexecuting inspection from the scanned image, the printed product can beprevented from being output while the inspection cannot be executed in acase where the information cannot be obtained.

In a case of a system of generating one reference image from a pluralityof scanned images, it is necessary to perform synthesis processing andthen start inspection. On the other hand, if there is one scanned image,the inspection can be started without performing the synthesisprocessing. Whether to execute the synthesis processing is specified foreach print job on the print setting screen 705 in the client computer0110. In a case where a value more than one is set in the entry field709 for the number of scans, the synthesis processing is executed,whereas in a case where 1 is set in the entry field 709 for the numberof scans, the synthesis processing is not executed.

According to a fourth exemplary embodiment, an example in which areference image is generated by synthesizing a plurality of the scannedimages is described with reference to FIG. 19. Parts common to theabove-described exemplary embodiments are omitted from the belowdescription. Processing added to the present exemplary embodiment may beadded to the processing according to the second and the third exemplaryembodiments and executed.

FIG. 19 illustrates processing executed by the inspection apparatus 0108in a case where the inspection apparatus 0108 is instructed to start thereference image registration. More specifically, the CPU 0226 receivesthe instruction and executes various processing for registering thereference image.

In step S845, the CPU 0226 determines whether it is necessary to performthe synthesis processing on the scanned images. The CPU 0226 refers tothe number of scans of the printed product specified ire the referenceimage registration instruction file received in step S817. In a casewhere the value is more than one, the CPU 0226 determines that it isnecessary to perform the synthesis processing on the scanned image (YESin step S845), and the processing proceeds to step S846. In the casewhere the value is one, the CPU 0226 determines that it is not necessaryto perform the synthesis processing on the scanned images (NO in stepS845), and the processing proceeds to step S821. In step S846, the CPU0226 determines whether the scanned images for the specified number ofscans of the printed product are received. In a case where the scannedimages for the specified number of scans of the printed product arereceived (YES in step S846), the processing proceeds to step S847.Whereas, in a case where the scanned images for the specified number ofscans of the printed product are not received (NO in step S846), theprocessing proceeds to step S820. In step S847, the CPU 0226 synthesizesa plurality of the scanned images and generates one reference image.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where thesynthesis processing does not have to be performed, a user can executethe inspection even if the synthesis processing is not performed.

According to the first exemplary embodiment, a printing and inspectionstart instruction is prevented from being executed by disabling theprint button 703 of the print job for which the corresponding referenceimage is not registered. However, instead of disabling the print button703, it may be determined whether the corresponding reference image isregistered when the print button 703 is pressed, and if the referenceimage is not registered, a user may be notified of that effect. In thiscase, if the print button is pressed, the inspection apparatus may beinquired as to whether the reference image is already registered.

According to the above-described exemplary embodiments, a printedproduct can be prevented from being output in a state where inspectioncannot be correctly executed since a reference image corresponding tothe printed product is not registered.

Other Embodiments

Embodiment(s) of the present disclosure can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing, the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present disclosure includes exemplary embodiments, it is to beunderstood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplaryembodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded thebroadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications andequivalent structures and functions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2020-104672, filed Jun. 17, 2020, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An inspection system comprising: a printingapparatus; an inspection apparatus configured to inspect quality of aprinted product printed by the printing apparatus; and an informationprocessing apparatus configured to transmit a print job to the printingapparatus, wherein the inspection apparatus includes a reception unitconfigured to receive a scanned image obtained by scanning the printedproduct printed by the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus;and an inspection unit configured to inspect quality of the printedproduct based on comparison of the received scanned image with areference image, wherein the information processing apparatus includes atransmission unit configured to transmit a print job to the printingapparatus, and wherein the transmission unit transmits the print job ina case where a reference image to be used for inspecting the quality ofthe printed product corresponding to the print job is registered, anddoes not transmit the print job in a case where the reference imagecorresponding to the print job is not registered.
 2. The inspectionsystem according to claim 1, wherein the information processingapparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine whetherthe reference image to be used for inspecting the quality of the printedproduct corresponding to the print job is registered.
 3. The inspectionsystem according to claim 2, wherein the inspection apparatus includes afirst transmission unit configured to transmit information indicatingthat the reference image is registered to the information processingapparatus, and wherein the determination unit in the informationprocessing apparatus determines whether the reference image to be usedfor inspecting the quality of the printed product corresponding to theprint job is registered based on the information.
 4. The inspectionsystem according to claim 1, wherein the inspection apparatus includes aregistration unit configured to register the scanned image obtained byscanning the printed product printed by the printing apparatus as thereference image.
 5. The inspection system according to claim 1, whereinthe inspection apparatus includes a second transmission unit configuredto transmit information indicating an inspection result to the printingapparatus based on the inspection result obtained by executinginspection by the inspection unit.
 6. An information processingapparatus communicable with a printing apparatus and an inspectionapparatus configured to inspect quality of a printed product printed by,the printing apparatus, the information processing apparatus comprising:a transmission unit configured to transmit a print job to the printingapparatus; and a determination unit configured to determine whether areference image to be used for inspecting the quality of the printedproduct corresponding to the print job is registered, wherein thetransmission unit transmits the print job in a case where thedetermination unit determines that the reference image to be used forinspecting the quality of the printed product corresponding, to theprint job is registered, and does not transmit the print job in a casewhere the determination unit determines that the reference imagecorresponding to the print job is not registered.
 7. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising areception unit configured to receive information indicating that thereference image is registered from the inspection apparatus, wherein thedetermination unit determines whether the reference image to be used forinspecting the quality of the printed product corresponding to the printjob is registered based on the information.
 8. A method for controllingan information processing apparatus capable of communicating with aprinting apparatus and an inspection apparatus configured to inspectquality of a printed product printed by the printing apparatus, themethod comprising: transmitting a print job to the printing apparatus;and determining whether a reference image to be used for inspecting thequality of the printed product corresponding to the print job isregistered, wherein, in the transmitting, the print job is transmittedin a case where it is determined in the determining that the referenceimage to be used for inspecting the quality of the printed productcorresponding to the print job is registered, and the print job is nottransmitted in a case where it is determined in the determining that thereference image corresponding to the print job is not registered.
 9. Themethod according to claim 8, further comprising receiving from theinspection apparatus information indicating that the reference image isregistered, and wherein it is determined whether the reference image tobe used for inspecting the quality of the printed product correspondingto the print job is registered based on the information in thedetermining.